CBSE Class 6 English Basic Spelling Rules Worksheet

SUFFIXES AND THE SILENT E

When adding a suffix that begins with a consonant to a word that ends with a silent e, keep the e. When adding a suffix that begins with a or o to a word that ends with ce or ge, keep the e. When adding a suffix that begins with a vowel to a word that ends in ee or oe, keep the e.

love + -ly = lovely                 knowledge + -able = knowledgeable
canoe + -ing = canoeing

When adding -ly to a word that ends with an l plus a silent e, drop the e.

When adding a suffix that begins with a vowel or y to a word that ends with a silent e, usually drop the e.

terrible + -ly = terribly                 shine + -ing = shining                 nose + -y = nosy

SUFFIXES AND THE FINAL Y
 

When a word ends in a consonant + y, change the y to i. When the suffix begins with an i, do not change the y to i. When a word ends in a vowel + y, keep the y.

fry + -ed = fried                 cry + -ing = crying                 relay + -ed = relayed

SPELLING IE AND EI
 

Put i before e except after c and when sounded like a, as in neighbor and weigh.
Some exceptions to this rule are height, seize, leisure, either, efficient. 

belief                 deceive                 eight
 

Exercise 1 Write the word that is formed when the suffix given is added to each word.

try + -ed tried

1. try + -ing trying

2. admire + -able admirable

3. home + -ly homely

4. cry + -ed cried

5. state + -ment statement

6. foresee + -able foreseeable

7. annoy + -ing annoying

8. awe + -some awesome

9. probable + -ly probably

10. manage + -able manageable

11. muddy + -ing muddying

12. fry + -ing frying

13. like + -ness likeness

14. gentle + -ly gently

15. change + -able changeable

16. play + -ful playful

17. shoe + -ing shoeing

18. mercy + -ful merciful

19. craze + -y crazy

20. merry + -ment merriment
 

Exercise 2 Write the word in the blank that is formed by adding ei or ie to the incomplete word in each sentence.

.........lei.........  The Hawaiians gave me a necklace of flowers called a I.......

.................... 1. Ms. Kang will not stray from her bel.......f.

.................... 2. Wally did not bring his rec.......pt with him.

.................... 3. The v.......n of ore ran for nearly three miles.

.................... 4. How could anyone conc.......ve of such a thing?

.................... 5. Dowana worked hard to ach.......ve honor-roll status.

.................... 6. In the distance, we heard the whistle of a fr.......ght train.

.................... 7. Mr. Suzuki was appointed ch.......f of staff.

.................... 8. Father O’Brien had been a parish pr.......st for forty years.

.................... 9. Mario had .......ght years of piano lessons.

.................... 10. Duke learned to retr.......ve a stick in only three days.

.................... 11. Is Pam well enough to rec.......ve visitors?

.................... 12. Our sunflowers grew to a h.......ght of eleven feet.

.................... 13. I read .......ght books this month.

.................... 14. Sue’s brother is conc.......ted.

.................... 15. How long did Alice gr.......ve after Alejandra moved to Texas?

.................... 16. What color shall we paint the c.......ling?

.................... 17. What kind of lace did Jana choose for her v.......l?

.................... 18. Be careful that his promises contain no dec.......t.

.................... 19. We went for a sl.......gh ride.

.................... 20. Athletes must maintain a certain w.......ght.

When a word ends in a single consonant following one vowel, double the final consonant if the word is one syllable. Also double the final consonant if the last syllable of the word is accented and the accent stays there after the suffix is added.

sit + -ing = sitting                 slap + -ed = slapped                         sad + -er = sadder
refer + -ed = referred            occur + -ence = occurrence            deter + -ing = deterring

Do not double the final consonant if the suffix begins with a consonant, if the accent is not on the last syllable, or if the accent moves when the suffix is added.

hurt + ful = hurtful                            pain + -less = painless                       great + -ly = greatly
envelop + -ed = enveloped              govern + -ing = governing                 motor + -ize = motorize
refer + -ence = reference                  confer + -ence = conference

Do not double the final consonant if two vowels come before the final consonant or if the word ends in two consonants.

drain + -ed = drained             moan + -ing = moaning                 keep + -ing = keeping
start + -er = starter                 belong + -ing = belonging            apart + -ment = apartment

When adding -ly to a word that ends in ll, drop one l.

dull + -ly = dully                 full + -ly = fully

When forming compound words, keep the original spelling of both words.

soap + box = soapbox                 fly + wheel = flywheel                 back + pack = backpack

Exercise 1 Write the word that is formed when the suffix given is added to each word.

fan + -ing fanning

1. pat + -ed patted

2. expel + -ing expelling

3. full + -ly fully

4. rain + -ing raining

5. admit + -ance admittance

6. shut + -er shutter

7. civil + -ize civilize

8. confer + -ence conference

9. glad + -est gladdest

10. main + -ly mainly

11. equip + -ed equipped

12. sharp + -ly sharply

13. layer + -ing layering

14. pad + -ing padding

15. rebel + -ed rebelled

16. loan + -ed loaned

17. plant + -ed planted

18. tip + -ing tipping

19. smart + -est smartest

20. begin + -er beginner
 

Exercise 2 Write the compound word formed from the words in parentheses. If the sentence is correct, write C in the blank.

     screwdriver     Please hand me the smallest (screw driver).

........................... 1. What did you use for a (steering wheel) on your go-cart?

........................... 2. Micah does his studying in his (bed room).

........................... 3. Marisha is proud of her (table manners).

........................... 4. Yesterday, our class was a (bee hive) of activity.

........................... 5. With a huge leap, Katarina caught the (line drive).

........................... 6. Does your mother hire a (book keeper)?

........................... 7. No one in our class has ever experienced an (earth quake).

........................... 8. Mr. Sanchez wore gray (dress pants) with his blue blazer.

........................... 9. Achim finished the test before (any body) else.

........................... 10. Did you remember to bring your (fishing pole)?

........................... 11. How many hours did the (snow storm) last?

........................... 12. Do you think Mimi would like a (jewelry box) for her birthday?

........................... 13. I know that book is (some where) in this room.

........................... 14. Ms. Yedon has the most beautiful (flower garden) in the neighborhood.

........................... 15. My favorite part of the meal was the (straw berry) and banana dessert.

........................... 16. Please bring some (light bulbs) when you come home.

........................... 17. Elijah has a new (sport coat) to wear to the program.

........................... 18. Dad purchased our new television directly from the (ware house).

........................... 19. Our (bird feeder) needs to be refilled.

........................... 20. I was scared when the stone flew against the (wind shield).

Many English words form plurals by specific rules.

If the noun ends in s, ch, sh, x, or z (including proper names), add -es.

grass, grasses                 catch, catches                 fox, foxes                 Lopez, Lopezes

If the noun ends in a consonant + y, change the y to i and add -es.

carry, carries                 mercy, mercies                 puppy, puppies

If the noun ends in o or a vowel + y, add -s.

rodeo, rodeos                 piano, pianos                 key, keys                 boy, boys

Exceptions:                     potato, potatoes             echo, echoes

If the noun ends in f or ff, add -s.

beef, beefs                 clef, clefs                 cuff, cuffs

Exceptions: sheaf, sheaves loaf, loaves (change f to v and add -es)

If the noun ends in lf or fe, change the f to v and add -es.

calf, calves                 shelf, shelves                 life, lives

One-word compound nouns follow the general rules for plurals. For compound nouns of more than one word or hyphenated words, make the most important word plural.

grandmother, grandmothers                 lady-in-waiting, ladies-in-waiting

ice cream, ice creams                           chief of staff, chiefs of staff

Some nouns have irregular plurals and follow no rules.

man, men                 foot, feet                 child, children

Some nouns do not change spelling for the plural.

deer, deer                 sheep, sheep                 series, series
 

Exercise 1, Write the correct plural form of each word.

watch watches

1. dress dresses

2. Aldrich Aldriches

3. factory factories

4. goof goofs

5. joy joys

6. broomstick broomsticks

7. loaf loaves

8. glass glasses

9. box boxes

10. wish wishes

11. editor in chief editors in chief

12. Truax Truaxes

13. folly follies

14. crutch crutches

15. woman women

16. beach beaches

17. McCandlish McCandlishes

18. proof proofs

19. knife knives

20. fifty fifties

21. secretary-general secretaries-general

22. echo echoes

23. stress stresses

24. toy toys

25. Jones Joneses

26. buzz buzzes

27. latch latches

28. moose moose

29. mother-in-law mothers-in-law

30. dish dishes

31. kangaroo kangaroos

32. berry berries

33. Martinez Martinezes

34. wedding ring wedding rings

35. cuff cuffs

36. mouse mice

37. wife wives

38. handkerchief handkerchiefs

39. stereo stereos

40. half halves
 

Writing Link Write a paragraph about a group of people. Use at least four plural words.

Review Basic Spelling Rules Class 6 English

Exercise 1 Correct each misspelled word. Write C in the blank if the word is spelled correctly. Use a dictionary if necessary.

     allys                          allies

1. terriblely                     terribly

2. deciet 

3. keyes 

4. relyance 

5. fullly 

6. kittens 

7. potatos 

8. changable 

9. brother-in-laws 

10. partly

11. joiful 

12. muffes 

13. referrence 

14. lonly 

15. swimer 

16. pianoes 

17. riegn 

18. offerring 

19. soft drinks 

20. concieve 

21. neighbor

22. friing 

23. leafs 

24. losses 

25. releif 

26. neither 

27. childs 

28. trainnable 

29. sheeps 

30. liesure 

31. preist 

32. moveing 

33. halfs 

34. serieses 

35. containning 

36. flurrys 

37. oxes 

38. freing 

39. vien 

40. watchs 

41. toeing 

42. crispper 

43. peanut 

44. crazyer 

46. boxs boxes

47. maping 

48. wieghtier 

49. chief of staffs 

50. pigpen 

WRITING TASKS

1. Description of Cartoon Strip
Answer: Frame 1: A man is standing in the kitchen next to a toaster while a dog watches him closely.
Frame 2: The man places slices of bread into the toaster and presses the lever down.
Frame 3: Smoke and burnt toast shoot out of the toaster, startling the man.
Frame 4: The man is frustrated as smoke fills the kitchen, while the dog holds up a sign that reads: 'JAM THAT BREAD OF LIFE!'.

Story: A hungry man decided to make some toast in his kitchen while his pet dog watched. He placed the bread carefully into the toaster and pushed the lever down. Unfortunately, the toaster malfunctioned, causing the bread to burn completely and smoke to fill the room. As the man stood in shock amid the smoke, his clever dog held up a humorous sign that read, 'JAM THAT BREAD OF LIFE!'.
In simple words: The cartoon shows a funny kitchen accident where a man tries to make toast, but it burns, and his pet dog reacts with a witty sign.

Exam Tip: When describing a cartoon strip, observe each frame sequentially, note the characters' expressions, and connect them into a logical narrative sequence.

2. Give a description of your 'FATHER' the Head of the family. Describe his physical features, height and build and general appearance. Also refer to his character and personality.
Answer: My father is the head of our family and a truly remarkable person whom I look up to every single day. He is tall with a well-built physique and a commanding yet gentle presence. He has warm, kind eyes, short neatly combed hair, and a welcoming smile that instantly brightens up the room. He always dresses in neat, formal office attire during weekdays and comfortable casual wear on weekends.

Beyond his physical appearance, his character and personality are what make him special. He is extremely hardworking, disciplined, and dedicated to his responsibilities both at work and at home. Despite his busy schedule, he always finds quality time to spend with us, helping with our studies and listening to our stories with patience. He is very kind-hearted, humble, and always ready to help neighbors and friends in times of need. His calm demeanor during difficult situations inspires me to stay positive and strong. He is my greatest mentor, protector, and role model.
In simple words: A description of a father covers his physical appearance, height, build, and his kind, hardworking, and supportive personality.

Exam Tip: Use descriptive adjectives and structured paragraphs (appearance first, followed by personality traits) to make character sketches engaging and vivid.

3. a. Develop the following hints to write a "SHORT PARAGRAPH" on the topic "TEA".
Answer: Tea is one of the most popular and common drinks consumed across the world, often turning into a delightful sort of daily addiction for many people. It is a social beverage that forms the center of friendly gatherings and tea parties. Tea has a long and ancient history, originating centuries ago in China. Botanically, it is an important plantation crop. India proudly stands as one of the leading producers of tea globally, with lush green tea gardens spread across picturesque regions like Assam, Darjeeling, and the Nilgiri Hills. Beyond cultivation, tea making is considered a true art, involving careful plucking, withering, rolling, and brewing to achieve the perfect aroma and flavor.
In simple words: Tea is an ancient, popular drink originating in China, largely produced in India, and enjoyed worldwide for its refreshing taste and social value.

Exam Tip: Ensure all provided hints are smoothly integrated into sentences using appropriate connecting words rather than just listing them.

3. b. Develop the following hints to write a "SHORT PARAGRAPH" on the topic "Trees are our best friends".
Answer: Trees are truly our best friends because they are essential to life on Earth and help in fulfilling our basic necessities such as air, water, food, clothing, and shelter. They act as the lungs of our planet by giving out fresh oxygen and absorbing harmful carbon dioxide. Trees also play a vital role in maintaining ecological balance by retaining soil humidity and attracting rain through transpiration. In addition, they provide timber, medicinal products, shade, and habitats for countless animals. Unfortunately, reckless deforestation by human beings is destroying forests, making it feel like man is digging his own grave. We must protect and plant more trees to secure our future.
In simple words: Trees sustain life by providing oxygen, food, and rain, but reckless cutting of trees threatens human survival.

Exam Tip: Conclude paragraphs based on social or environmental themes with a strong moral or a call to action.

4. a. Construct a readable story from the following outline. Give the title for the story.
Answer: Title: Belling the Cat

Once upon a time, a large family of mice lived in a spacious old house. They were constantly terrified because of a fierce cat that hunted them down whenever they ventured out of their holes. Desperate to find a solution to their misery, the mice held a grand meeting to discuss ways to protect themselves.

Many ideas were suggested, but none seemed practical. Finally, a young and enthusiastic mouse stood up and proposed an ingenious plan. He suggested tying a bell around the cat's neck so that whenever the cat approached, the ringing bell would warn them in advance. All the mice squeaked in joy and agreed unanimously that it was a brilliant idea.

However, an old and experienced mouse stood up and asked a critical question: "The plan is wonderful, but who is going to bell the cat?" As soon as the question was asked, dead silence filled the room. Not a single mouse offered to take up the dangerous task. Suddenly, the loud footsteps of the cat were heard approaching. Terrified, all the mice panicked and scampered back to their dark holes as fast as they could.

In simple words: It is easy to propose impossible plans, but difficult to execute them.

Exam Tip: Always provide an appropriate title and maintain a narrative flow with a clear beginning, middle (climax), and ending (moral).

4. b. Raj and Gopal - friends - crossing jungle - see a bear - bears don't climb trees - Ram climbs - Gopal afraid - lies quietly - holds breath - as dead - bear comes - goes round Gopal - sniffs - goes away - Ram climbs down - Gopal silent - Ram asks - what did bear say - Gopal says - don't trust - no true friend.
Answer: Title: A Friend in Need is a Friend Indeed

Raj and Gopal were two close friends who decided to travel through a dense jungle to reach a neighboring village. They promised to stay together and help each other through any danger that came their way.

As they were walking deep inside the forest, they suddenly heard a heavy growl and saw a massive bear charging towards them. Panic struck both friends. Gopal did not know how to climb trees. However, Raj, who was agile, immediately spotted a tall tree and climbed up quickly to save his own life, completely forgetting about his friend Gopal.

Gopal was left helpless on the ground. Remembering that bears do not harm dead bodies, he quickly lay down flat on the ground, held his breath, and pretended to be dead. The huge bear lumbered up to Gopal, sniffed around his face and ears, and thinking he was a lifeless corpse, wandered back into the bushes.

When the bear had completely disappeared, Raj climbed down from the tree and approached Gopal with a smirk. Mockingly, Raj asked, "My friend, what did the bear whisper in your ear when it put its mouth close to you?"

Gopal looked at Raj with disappointment and replied, "The bear advised me never to trust a selfish person who abandons his friend in times of danger. A true friend never leaves you behind." Raj hung his head in shame.

In simple words: A true friend stands by you in times of danger, while a selfish person abandons you when you need them most.

Exam Tip: Expand story outlines by adding descriptive dialogue and emotions to make the characters and plot lively and engaging.